Modular User-Traversable Display System

ABSTRACT

A coiled coil geometry of modular concave LED/OLED panels or “tiles” can effectively display a simulated barreling wave. The structure of the coiled coil LED/OLED modules allows one or more users/participants to stand on and/or sit in a motion or non-motion seating platform to observe the simulation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS; PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims benefit as a Continuation of application Ser.No. 14/277,008, filed May 13, 2014, which claims benefit of ProvisionalApplication No. 61/822,859, filed May 13, 2013, the entire contents ofthe foregoing are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth hereinunder 35 U.S.C. § 120. The applicant hereby rescinds any disclaimer ofclaim scope in the parent application(s) or the prosecution historythereof and advises the USPTO that the claims in this application may bebroader than any claim in the parent application(s).

TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates generally to display systems. Moreparticularly, an embodiment of the present invention relates toconstruction, configuration, and operation, of modular multi-paneldisplay systems.

BACKGROUND

Existing immersive simulation systems employ projectors projectingimages onto formed screen surfaces. Applications attempt to create asimulated environment by using the formed screen surfaces. The drawbackto projection-based systems is that the projectors must be hiddensomewhere in the simulated environment. Distortions and brightnessdropouts in the projected images are introduced because projectors mustbe hidden behind facades and are often mounted off-axis.

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could bepursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previouslyconceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it shouldnot be assumed that any of the approaches described in this sectionqualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in thissection. Similarly, issues identified with respect to one or moreapproaches should not assume to have been recognized in any prior art onthe basis of this section, unless otherwise indicated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate coiled coil display modules according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a surfing simulator comprising coiled coildisplay modules according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate construction geometry layout of a series ofcoiled coil display modules according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A-H illustrate an immersive surfing simulator comprising coiledcoil display modules according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example hardware platform on which a computer or acomputing device as described herein may be implemented;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a surfing simulator according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a simulation facility comprising multiple coiled coildisplay modules according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a mobile exhibition platform according to anembodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments, which relate to modular multi-panel displaysystems, are described herein. In the following description, for thepurposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Itwill be apparent, however, that the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures and devices are not described in exhaustive detail, in orderto avoid unnecessarily occluding, obscuring, or obfuscating the presentinvention.

Example embodiments are described herein according to the followingoutline:

1. TERM DEFINITIONS

2. GENERAL OVERVIEW

3. DISPLAY CONSTRUCTION AND CONFIGURATION

4. APPLICATIONS

5. IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMS—HARDWARE OVERVIEW

6. EQUIVALENTS, EXTENSIONS, ALTERNATIVES AND MISCELLANEOUS

1. Term Definitions

Coiled Coil

Multiple parallel coils joined to create a single coil.

Helical Geometry

Multiple helical bands are joined to create the Coiled Coil. Similar tothe coiled windings of parallel multiple strands a term more commonlyused to denote special types of winding wire for transformers. Decafilardescribes coiled windings made of ten strands.

Plateneomic

Plateneomic coiling and paranemic coiling are descriptions of coils thatare bound in such a way that the removal of one coil will break apartthe embodiment.

2. General Overview

This overview presents a basic description of some aspects of anembodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that thisoverview is not an extensive or exhaustive summary of aspects of theembodiment. Moreover, it should be noted that this overview is notintended to be understood as identifying any particularly significantaspects or elements of the embodiment, nor as delineating any scope ofthe embodiment in particular, nor the invention in general. Thisoverview merely presents some concepts that relate to the exampleembodiment in a condensed and simplified format, and should beunderstood as merely a conceptual prelude to a more detailed descriptionof example embodiments that follows below.

An embodiment of the invention very closely recreates a realisticbarreling wave within a simulated environment. In an embodiment, amodular LED/OLED display can produce truly beautiful video thatsurpasses more complex and expensive video projection systems ontocurved screen surfaces.

An embodiment of the invention addresses the challenges of creating arealistic barreling wave within a simulated environment by arranginggeometry which enables curved modular LED/OLED panels to be configuredin a unique barreling wave form. Current simulator designs forenveloping and immersive environments have certain limitations, forexample, they require sophisticated projection equipment. A challenge tocreating a surfing simulator would be to position projectors within orthrough the projection screen environment. This would greatly take awayfrom the simulator's purpose to convincingly recreate a simulatedenvironment. Holes through the screen or projector enclosures within thespace would not perform well in providing a realistic experience. Inaddition, many challenges would exist in fabricating lenses to projectfocused images onto curved barrel and irregular screen surfaces.Further, video projection onto curved screen surfaces has lessuniformity and light output than that of a modern LED/OLED directdisplay.

Current advancements in high density LED and OLED display technologyallow modular panels to be shaped and joined to create various shapesand sizes. Properly organizing the modules within the limitations ofconventional LED/OLED indoor and outdoor screens is a challenge.Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an embodiment of the invention arrangesthe modular panels into concave barrel segments in a coil shape and theninterlaces the coil with matching coils to create a coiled coilsolution; thus, shaping the display modules into a unique concave coiledcoil provides an embodiment like no other simulator. A coiled coilmodular concave display comprised of interlaced multi-panel LED/OLEDmodules forms a wave shape that provides a hyper-realistic surfingexperience.

Various modifications to the preferred embodiments and the genericprinciples and features described herein will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to belimited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features described herein.

3. Display Construction and Configuration

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in an embodiment of the invention, acoiled coil geometry of modular concave LED/OLED panels or “tiles” 201forming a simulated barreling wave is shown. The structure of the coiledcoil LED/OLED modules 201 allows one or more users/participants 202 tostand on and/or sit in a motion or non-motion seating platform situatedwithin the coiled coil modules.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in an embodiment of the invention, themethod of attaching the coiled coil LED/OLED modules 305 is a uniformtubular metal superstructure. Each coiled coil module 302 may be asingle coil of LED/OLED display panels 303. The coiled coil modules 305are arranged in parallel and an immersive simulator 301 may be formedwith as little as four turns (four coiled coil modules). A practicaldisplay screen coil size for a simulator can be 8-14 parallel screencoil widths, but this number may vary according to the overall size ofthe simulator. Special video content can be created to fit on theirregular screen dimensional geometry. A viewing station 306 within thesimulator can be located to position the viewer(s) for maximum effect.The viewing station 306 can resemble a surfboard, canoe, kayak,outrigger, etc., and may have some motion base actuation. The viewingstation 306 can seat a single or multiple persons.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4H, in an embodiment of the invention, an exampledisplay configuration where a curved emissive screen 301 having aplurality of multi-pixel display modules for a surfing simulator isshown. Each display module has a display surface bound by a periphery.The plurality of display modules are tiled together, edge to edge, toform a helical display surface 301 (tied together using a uniformtubular metal superstructure 403) for producing an image that is avisually uniform, plateneomic coiled coil winding of parallel multipleflat panel modules geometry where each display module renders a portionof the image. A non-coiled curved horizontal display module 401 arrangedat the end of the coiled coils 301 along with a vertical non-coiledcurved display module 402 is used to give the simulator a depth effect.Participants positioned within the coiled coils 301 look toward thehorizontal 401 and vertical 402 non-coiled curved display modules wherea horizon may be displayed to orient the participants. The horizontal401 and vertical 402 non-coiled curved display modules may be comprisedof any of: LED panels, OLED panels, LCD panels, etc.

In an embodiment of the invention, each display module iscommunicatively connected to at least one display signal generator. Inan embodiment, a display signal generator may be communicativelyconnected to a plurality of display modules. The at least one displaysignal generator is communicatively connected to at least one computersystem. The at least one computer system sends video representing thesimulation to the at least one display signal generator. An operator mayselect a scenario, from among possibly a number of scenarios, via a userinterface display by the at least one computer system on a localdisplay. The at least one computer system sends the selected scenariovideo stream to the at least one display signal generator and audio toat least one audio processing system. The at least one display signalgenerator receives the video stream and calculates what each displaymodule is to display. The result is a seamless display of the scenariovideo across all of the display modules, thereby providing an immersivesimulator experience for participants.

4. Applications

Embodiments of the invention may be arranged to simulate immersiveenvironments discussed below:

Surfing Simulator

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6B, an embodiment of a surfing simulator is shown.Participants are seated in a riding seat 602 that is attached to amotion base 603 that includes mechanisms that enable the motion base tomove the riding seat 301 on any selectable axis or combination ofselectable axes. In an embodiment, the movement of the motion base 603may be synchronized to the video content displayed on the displaymodules in the coiled coils 301 and horizontal 401 and vertical 402non-coiled curved display modules. For example, in a surfing simulationembodiment, the motion base 603 may simulate a surfboard riding a waveby moving the riding seat 602 using 3-axis (XYZ) movements to simulatethe surf board maneuvering through the water. The riding seat 602 andmotion base 603 assembly ride on a transport system that, in oneembodiment may be a set or rails, conveyer belt, etc. Using thetransport system, the riding seat 602 and motion base 603 assembly ismoved to the interior of the coiled coils 301 where participants viewvideo content displayed on the display modules. A ride operator maycontrol the movement of the riding seat 602 and motion base 603 assemblyinto or out of the interior of the coiled coils 301. The ride operatormay also control the movement settings (axis control) of the motion base603 as well as video and sound effects. Content displayed on the displaymodules located in the coiled coils 301 and horizontal 401 and vertical402 non-coiled curved display modules can vary from simulated waves,e.g., a barreling wave, a rolling wave, etc., to imaginative animatedenvironments.

Referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment of a simulation facility 700comprising multiple coiled coil display modules 701, 702, is shown. Thesimulation facility 700 shown supports a large continuous flow ofparticipants. Multiple motion bases 703 maneuver on a track 704. Thetrack 704 guides the motion bases 703 through the coiled coil displaymodules 701 and 702. Multiple surfaces such as 705 and 706 may benon-coiled displays that add to the experience of the simulation.

Mobile Exhibition Platform

Referring to FIG. 8, an embodiment of a mobile exhibition platform 800is shown. The mobile exhibition platform may be based on a portableplatform such as a semi-truck trailer, a portable display unit,container unit, etc. A coiled coil display module 802 resides in astructure 801 and allows participants to walk through the coiled coildisplay module 802 and experience the simulation.

Skateboard Exhibition

Skate ramps using display modules that may be comprised of any of: LEDpanels, OLED panels, LCD panels, etc. The skate ramps can use curvednon-coiled display modules and display any type of simulation such asscenery, texture, ramp features, etc. For example, a “Skate on Water”scenario may be displayed as well as snow, ice, mid-air, any surfacethat can be displayed, etc. Sponsorship and advertisement logos, videos,etc., can be displayed dynamically on the display modules. Curvednon-coiled display modules, as well as coiled coil display modules mayalso be used for extreme sports visualization, digital brand immersion,immersive digital media, wrap around advertising, etc.

F1 Race Simulator

An F1 or any vehicle racing destination may be displayed on a coiledcoil display module. Participants can be seated in a racing-inspiredriding seat mounted on a motion base. The coiled coil display module candisplay scenery as a race progresses. Non-coiled display modules candisplay forward looking scenery as well as the road features. Theconfiguration may be much like the surfing simulator described above.

Skydiving Simulator

Skydiving into a Big Hole cave may be one selectable scenario. A coiledcoil display module may be oriented vertically or horizontally to allowthe participants to experience falling through the cave in a vertical orhorizontal orientation. Indoor skydiving equipment can also be supportedby a vertically oriented coiled coil display. The participant can befloating over the indoor skydiving air flow while viewing the display onthe coiled coil display module. The scenery displayed on the displaymodule may be tied to the participant's movements. For example,different pathways may be explored, acceleration/deceleration may beexperienced through the scenery movement, etc.

River Rafting Simulator

A river scenario may be displayed that turns down over waterfalls,through rapids, etc. Much like the surfing simulation described above,the river rafting scenario may simply replace a surfboard riding seatwith a raft-inspired riding seat.

In various embodiments, an apparatus, a computing system, a displaysystem, etc., performs any or a part of the foregoing methods asdescribed.

Note that, although separate embodiments are discussed herein, anycombination of embodiments and/or partial embodiments discussed hereinmay be combined to form further embodiments.

5. Implementation Mechanisms—Hardware Overview

According to one embodiment, the techniques described herein areimplemented by one or more special-purpose computing devices. Thespecial-purpose computing devices may be hard-wired to perform thetechniques, or may include digital electronic devices such as one ormore application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs) that are persistently programmed toperform the techniques, or may include one or more general purposehardware processors programmed to perform the techniques pursuant toprogram instructions in firmware, memory, other storage, or acombination. Such special-purpose computing devices may also combinecustom hard-wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with custom programming toaccomplish the techniques. The special-purpose computing devices may bedesktop computer systems, portable computer systems, handheld devices,networking devices or any other device that incorporates hard-wiredand/or program logic to implement the techniques.

For example, FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates a computersystem 500 upon which an example embodiment of the invention may beimplemented. Computer system 500 includes a bus 502 or othercommunication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardwareprocessor 504 coupled with bus 502 for processing information. Hardwareprocessor 504 may be, for example, a general purpose microprocessor.

Computer system 500 also includes a main memory 506, such as a randomaccess memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus 502for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor504. Main memory 506 also may be used for storing temporary variables orother intermediate information during execution of instructions to beexecuted by processor 504. Such instructions, when stored innon-transitory storage media accessible to processor 504, rendercomputer system 500 into a special-purpose machine that is customized toperform the operations specified in the instructions.

Computer system 500 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 508 orother static storage device coupled to bus 502 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processor 504. A storage device 510,such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus502 for storing information and instructions.

Computer system 500 may be coupled via bus 502 to a display 512, such asa liquid crystal display, for displaying information to a computer user.An input device 514, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupledto bus 502 for communicating information and command selections toprocessor 504. Another type of user input device is cursor control 516,such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicatingdirection information and command selections to processor 504 and forcontrolling cursor movement on display 512. This input device typicallyhas two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and asecond axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in aplane.

Computer system 500 may implement the techniques described herein usingcustomized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and/orprogram logic which in combination with the computer system causes orprograms computer system 500 to be a special-purpose machine. Accordingto one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by computersystem 500 in response to processor 504 executing one or more sequencesof one or more instructions contained in main memory 506. Suchinstructions may be read into main memory 506 from another storagemedium, such as storage device 510. Execution of the sequences ofinstructions contained in main memory 506 causes processor 504 toperform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments,hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination withsoftware instructions.

The term “storage media” as used herein refers to any non-transitorymedia that store data and/or instructions that cause a machine tooperation in a specific fashion. Such storage media may comprisenon-volatile media and/or volatile media. Non-volatile media includes,for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 510.Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 506. Commonforms of storage media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexibledisk, hard disk, solid state drive, magnetic tape, or any other magneticdata storage medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical data storage medium,any physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, aFLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, any other memory chip or cartridge.

Storage media is distinct from but may be used in conjunction withtransmission media. Transmission media participates in transferringinformation between storage media. For example, transmission mediaincludes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including thewires that comprise bus 502. Transmission media can also take the formof acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-waveand infra-red data communications.

Various forms of media may be involved in carrying one or more sequencesof one or more instructions to processor 504 for execution. For example,the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk or solidstate drive of a remote computer. The remote computer can load theinstructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over atelephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 500 canreceive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitterto convert the data to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector canreceive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriatecircuitry can place the data on bus 502. Bus 502 carries the data tomain memory 506, from which processor 504 retrieves and executes theinstructions. The instructions received by main memory 506 mayoptionally be stored on storage device 510 either before or afterexecution by processor 504.

Computer system 500 also includes a communication interface 518 coupledto bus 502. Communication interface 518 provides a two-way datacommunication coupling to a network link 520 that is connected to alocal network 522. For example, communication interface 518 may be anintegrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellitemodem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to acorresponding type of telephone line. As another example, communicationinterface 518 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a datacommunication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also beimplemented. In any such implementation, communication interface 518sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals thatcarry digital data streams representing various types of information.

Network link 520 typically provides data communication through one ormore networks to other data devices. For example, network link 520 mayprovide a connection through local network 522 to a host computer 524 orto data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 526.ISP 526 in turn provides data communication services through the worldwide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the“Internet” 528. Local network 522 and Internet 528 both use electrical,electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. Thesignals through the various networks and the signals on network link 520and through communication interface 518, which carry the digital data toand from computer system 500, are example forms of transmission media.

Computer system 500 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link 520 and communicationinterface 518. In the Internet example, a server 530 might transmit arequested code for an application program through Internet 528, ISP 526,local network 522 and communication interface 518.

The received code may be executed by processor 504 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 510, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution.

6. Equivalents, Extensions, Alternatives and Miscellaneous

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed with reference to numerous specific details that may vary fromimplementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicatorof what is the invention, and is intended by the applicants to be theinvention, is the set of claims that issue from this application, in thespecific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequentcorrection. Any definitions expressly set forth herein for termscontained in such claims shall govern the meaning of such terms as usedin the claims. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature,advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim shouldlimit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawingsare, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a plurality of displaymodules interconnected to form a tubular simulation display, eachdisplay module of the plurality of display modules including a pluralityof interconnected display panels arranged to form a concave barrelsegment in a coil shape with the plurality of interconnected displaypanels facing inward of the concave barrel segment and forming theinterior of the concave barrel segment, the concave barrel segmenthaving a first coil end, a second coil end, a first edge, and a secondedge, each display module interconnected to a next display module via acoil end and an edge, the plurality of display modules arranged inparallel and supported in a uniform superstructure; wherein the tubularsimulation display is configured to allow users to traverse overportions of the plurality of display modules.
 2. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the tubular simulation display displays a visual simulation.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tubular simulation displaydisplays a visual advertisement.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe tubular simulation display displays a video.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: at least one display signal generator thatis communicatively connected to the plurality of display panels includedin a display module of the plurality of display modules; wherein the atleast one display signal generator generates video signals to bedisplayed on the plurality of display panels in the display module. 6.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one non-coileddisplay positioned in a proximity of a first end of the tubularsimulation display; wherein the at least one non-coiled display displaysscenery in a forward facing orientation.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the tubular simulation display is a skate ramp.
 8. An apparatus,comprising: a plurality of display modules interconnected to form acurved skate ramp, each display module of the plurality of displaymodules including a plurality of interconnected display panels arrangedto form a curve with the plurality of interconnected display panelsfacing inward of the curve, the plurality of display modules arranged inparallel and supported in a uniform superstructure; wherein the curvedskate ramp is configured to allow skaters to traverse over portions ofthe plurality of display modules.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, whereinthe curved skate ramp displays a visual simulation.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the curved skate ramp displays a visual advertisement.11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the curved skate ramp displays avideo.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: at least onedisplay signal generator that is communicatively connected to theplurality of display panels included in a display module of theplurality of display modules; wherein the at least one display signalgenerator generates video signals to be displayed on the plurality ofdisplay panels in the display module.
 13. A method, comprising:interconnecting a plurality of display modules to form a tubularsimulation display, each display module of the plurality of displaymodules including a plurality of interconnected display panels arrangedto form a concave barrel segment in a coil shape with the plurality ofinterconnected display panels facing inward of the concave barrelsegment and forming the interior of the concave barrel segment, theconcave barrel segment having a first coil end, a second coil end, afirst edge, and a second edge, each display module interconnected to anext display module via a coil end and an edge, the plurality of displaymodules arranged in parallel and supported in a uniform superstructure;wherein the tubular simulation display is configured to allow users totraverse over portions of the plurality of display modules.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising: displaying a visual simulationon the tubular simulation display.
 15. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: displaying a visual advertisement on the tubular simulationdisplay.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: displaying avideo on the tubular simulation display.
 17. The method of claim 13,further comprising: generating video signals to be displayed on theplurality of display panels.
 18. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: displaying scenery in a forward facing orientation on atleast one non-coiled display positioned in a proximity of a first end ofthe tubular simulation display.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein thetubular simulation display is a skate ramp.